ICAS leader Scholes targets future talent and AI – Daily Business

Karen Scholes, who has been appointed president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS), says she will use her term of office to drive greater access to the profession and assess the impact of artificial intelligence.

Ms Scholes, who becomes the sixth woman to hold the role in its 171-year history, is the partner director of Scholes CA, an independent accountancy firm with a strong focus on sustainability and entrepreneurship.

She was formally confirmed as president at the ICAS annual general meeting on Friday, succeeding Alison Cornwell, former CFO of Vue International.

She said: “Our globally respected Chartered Accountant (CA) qualification continues to open doors to rewarding careers in business, finance, and beyond.

“Yet, with only around 20% of professionals in fields like accountancy coming from working-class backgrounds, it’s clear there’s more to do.

“The ICAS Foundation is leading the way in closing this gap by supporting young people from low-income backgrounds to access careers in accountancy and finance.

“I’m committed to supporting the ongoing work to inspire the next generation and drive greater access to the profession for talented individuals from every walk of life.”

She said she also wants to highlight the flexibility and employer-friendly nature of the ICAS CA training model.

“It offers an accessible, cost-effective way for organisations of all sizes to nurture and attract top-tier business talent,” she said.

“Looking ahead, I’ll be leading an important conversation on the evolving role of the chartered accountant, taking a forward-looking approach to how our profession can harness emerging technologies like AI, and help shape the sustainable, resilient economies of the future.”

Hailing from Orkney, Ms Scholes began her career in the family firm, AJB Scholes, founded by her late father.

She initially ran the practice as the sole practitioner in the firm until it was incorporated in 2008. Today, Scholes CA has 36 staff across offices in Kirkwall, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

Ms Scholes was vice president of ICAS in 2023, and deputy president in 2024. Supporting her during her term are David Cruickshank, who has been appointed as deputy president, and Jonny Jacobs, as vice president.

Bruce Cartwright, ICAS Chief Executive, added: “Karen brings a wealth of experience to ICAS from her thirty-year career in practice and directing her own successful business.

“Like many CAs, she’s devoted her career to nurturing, advising and supporting the type of SME clients that make up thriving local economies the length and breadth of the UK.”